Speak of the Devil!
Credit: Simon deSalis The Introduction of disease free Tasmanian Devils to Maria Island National Park.
Presented by Phil Wise and Pete Lingard The Tasmanian devil is the largest Extinctremaining marsupial carnivore on the planet.
Apex predator, generalist, scavenger. Plays an essential role in maintaining the Tasmanian ecosystem.
Endangered IUCN Red List, State and Federal Lists due to major population declines
Photo – Simon deSalis Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) and the decline of wild devils. A Horrible Disease…
Photo by Christo Baars
Lethal & Contagious – no cureRoad &-killed no and vaccine diseased.
The Shaping of a strategy.
Save the Tasmanian Devil Program Established in 2003
• Research into the disease itself and its effects, search for cure or vaccine.
• Monitoring change in the wild populations and the spread of the disease. Sample collection. Persistence, Recovery or Extinction.
• Establishment of an insurance population.
The devil is here to stay…. An insurance policy 1. Intensive management Intensive captive facility 2. Free Range Enclosures 3. Island and “virtual” islands.
Freycinet Free Range Enclosure 22ha
Aims of the Insurance Population Strategy • Disease (DFTD) free animals. • Genetically representative. • Able to sustain harvest for release to wild. • Maintains associated flora and fauna (commensal, symbiotic and parasitic) and wild behaviors where possible. Where on Earth is Maria?...
An island off an island off an island…Perfect! Maria ‘Devil’ Island.
•Isolated from disease.
•Acceptable size (9000+ha).
•One land tenure (National Park).
•No public vehicle access, no dogs.
•Modified ecosystem-fascinating human history of dreams and visions and feral animal arrival.
•Previous translocations of a variety of native mammal and bird species. Requiring active management ever since.
•Good diversity of prey species for devils….. with appropriate devil habitat. Estimates of carrying capacity 80-120 devils.
The Devil is in the detail…… Building the partnership
• Extensive approvals process at State and Federal Level.
• Broad Consultation.
• Establishment of an MOU between PWS & Devil team
• Release and monitoring strategy
Let them be free…. The release. • Zoo and Aquarium Association provided a short list of suitable devils for two releases • 28 devils selected. (15 in 2012, 13 in 2013) • Devils then subjected to health checks and behavior tests. • 13 females/15 males • Between 1-3 y/o on release. • From intensive captive facilities, Mainland Zoos and Free Range Enclosures to the wilds of Maria • Assisted release, behavior change.
Devil Diaries……….How are they going?
• Regular monitoring by trapping, camera and gps/vhf collars. • 93% (26/28) of released animals surviving at 20 months. • 100% Breeding success 2013 (8/8 females, 24 young). 77% in 2014 (10/13 females, 40+ young) • Precocial breeding in at least 3 generation one females. • Maria now one of the few places devils can be wild born without threat of DFTD in Tasmania.
A Devilish Dichotomy…..
• Tourism – Considerable interest from visitors in Devils – Increasing daily interactions between Devils and humans – Commercial operator concerns over demise of other notable wildlife species
• Media – Film series: ‘Devil Island’ drew interest from around the world – Increasing visits from national & international film crews wanting to hear the Devil introduction story
• Scientific – Various coinciding research programs underway or proposed
Some innovations
• Welcome to country • Establishing captive carnivorous animals into the wild – a challenging history. • Holistic ecological approach • Collaborations USYD to develop genetic assay technique (diversity and parentage) and contraception trials. • Collaborations UTAS and devil/feral interactions. • Looking to apply stable isotopes of prey in whiskers for diet analysis – seasonal patterns. • Partnerships with San Diego Zoo (post doc)and Wellington (remote chip reader). Devil if you do, Devil if you don’t.
• The rare and extreme nature of the disease has led us down this path. • Will require ongoing ecosystem impact monitoring and continued monitoring of devils and adaptive management. • Future genetic supplementation. • Contraception concept • Harvest for wild to wild translocations – peninsulas and other projects. • Triggers – Welfare, Interactions, Impacts. • As partners we are in this for the long haul. • Big challenges ahead to protect the values of Maria Island National Park and contribute to the wider aims of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program.
The Vision “To maintain an enduring and ecologically functional population of Tasmanian devils in the wild”
The team! • IUCN Reintroduction Specialist • Healesville Sanctuary, Monarto Zoo Group (Phil Seddon) Trowunna Wildlife Park and Halls • Dorian Moro – Chevron (Dibblers) Gap Zoo. • Brooke Rankmore (NT Quolls) • Maria Island Ferries and East Coast • Save the Tasmanian Devil Program Nature Cruises. particularly captive staff • Flinders Island Aviation • Maria Island Parks and Wildlife • Tasmanian Air Adventures Staff • San Diego Zoo and Wellington Zoo • Members of Tasmanian Aboriginal • Janeane Ingram Communities • Birds Tasmania • Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal • Maria Island Walks • University of Tasmania • Nick Mooney • University of Sydney • Hamish McCallum • Zoo and Aquarium Association • Barbara Triggs • Chris Boland • Simon deSalis
The following slides might help with questions Tasmanian devil diet on Maria Island. Site Occupancy – Multiple Mammals Ecosystem Impacts Cape Barren Goose Ecosystem Impacts – Eagles Devil road kill – a widespread issue…
Reports from: • Public • Trained PWS • Staff 1989-2012 Report by: • Reply paid cards • SMS to hotline • Website …with a clear seasonal distribution…
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0 July July July July May May May June June June April April April March March March August August August August January January January October October October February February February December December December November November November September September September September 2009-2010 (393) 2010-2011 (372) 2011-2012 (449) 2012-2013